We use the ashes from burning the Palm Sunday palms to mark our foreheads on Ash Wednesday. The readings on Ash Wednesday tell us we shouldn’t publicly mark our faces when we fast out of pride. The Ash Wednesday forehead cross seems to be exactly what we were told not to do.

but consider the biting tragedy of Palm Sunday: we welcomed Christ only to crucify him days later. We incinerate the palms which we used to ceremonially and enthusiastically welcome him and mark our foreheads with the image of the instrument we used to execute God

In this context, the forehead cross looks more like an ironic, humiliating mark of shame than a badge of honor. We welcomed Christ then made a mockery of our welcome; we crucified him & continue to crucify him and walk around emblazoned with his execution like we are proud of it

Holy Week is going to be dark and difficult this year. Take care of your families, chosen and otherwise